The Outdoors Blog

Prepping for a Backpacking Trip

July 21, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

 photo backpacking-trip_zpszrydzlpu.jpgFrom the rugged mountain ranges of BC to the sprawling forests of northern Ontario, there are few other countries besides Canada that seem so well-suited to outdoor adventuring.

If you’re preparing for a backpacking trip this spring or summer, you might be overwhelmed at the amount of tasks to check off your list, and the amount of items you’ll need to lug around with you. By simply purchasing flexible polyurethane foam from Canada before embarking on your excursion, many typical camping obstacles can be overcome with ease.

How can foam be used to make your outdoor camping or backpacking trip a success? 100% Canadian-made foam can be utilized in many different ways for many different purposes, from packing luggage for long car trips to padding custom outdoor cushions. Foam offers a protective padding for boxes and bags carrying heavy or fragile objects, and fills out custom outdoor cushions and bedding so that you can sit by the campfire or curl up in a tent in comfort.

Foam sacks—covered in a variety of differently coloured fabrics—are highly useful for backpacking trips, as they are lightweight and compactable. Kick back and stargaze in the wilderness on a plush bed of foam! In the past these sacks gained popularity in university dorms and elementary school classrooms, and with businesspeople whose jobs required frequent relocation, but hikers and backpackers are starting to jump on the bandwagon too.

For the more creative outdoorsmen, custom outdoor cushions can be designed and crafted using a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. When cushions are made with durable, long-lasting foam–such as Dryfast or natural latex, both of which are built to withstand high levels of moisture and dampness—they are sure to last through the most unpredictable weather. You may not be able to control the elements, but bringing polyurethane foam sheets along with you on your backpacking trip will at least bring you peace of mind.

Bio: The Foam Factory Inc. offers polyurethane foam from Canada, including sheets that can be custom cut to any size or shape. Order now for free shipping on orders over $100.


 

Mahogany Doors: What you need to know

July 20, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

Written by ETO Doors

There are always advantages and disadvantages when choosing one material over another. This is especially true when choosing whether to go with mahogany doors. Here are a few advantages and disadvantages.

Mahogany works well for both interior and exterior doors. For exterior doors, it allows whatever embossing or hand carved customizations that you want as the wood is very easy to work with. Another advantage is that you can stain it again whenever you require. Whenever you redecorate, you can match the finish of your front door to the other furniture. This also applies to mahogany solid wood interior doors. Redecorate and all your doors can match your new aesthetic.

Another advantage is energy efficiency. As a material for doors, wood can provide energy savings especially for your front door. Wood is approximately 1800 times more efficient than aluminum and 400 times more than steel. This can lead to energy savings over the long term.

Mahogany is also durable. It can resist decay and is also resistant to insects. This makes it a good investment as you can expect it to last for decades.

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One of the cons of using mahogany that applies to other types of wood is higher maintenance. Other materials used for doors do not require the periodic re-staining and re-sealing. Whenever you use solid wood interior doors, you have the risk that some rooms will not have doors for the period of the maintenance.

Finally, there is the cost. Because certain species of mahogany are endangered, it can be more expensive than other varieties of wood.

ETO Doors is a manufacturer of high quality interior and exterior doors for homeowners and businesses. They have a full catalog of mahogany doors and accessories available at their website.

Top three places to have your next big adventure!

July 19, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

Written by relocate to Richmond

Do you feel like it’s time for a change and a new big adventure? Moving can be stressful and challenging, but the hardest thing to do is to pick the perfect location. I have the four of the best cities to relocate to in the US that will get you to start packing!

A famous city that is located in the US is Pittsburgh, PA. If you like city life but are thinking of starting a family, then Pittsburgh is the perfect destination. The cost of homes is below the national average and the cost of living is 12.2% less then America’s average. The risk of natural disasters and crime is low so you can feel safe and at home.

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If busy life is more your style then San Francisco, California may be the perfect place for you. The cost of living and houses are more than the average, but the income is high. Plus, how can you leave behind the beautiful and fun attractions.

The Richmond region offers a plethora of attractions and activities to fit everyone’s taste. Whether you are moving with a family or as a single person, you will not run out of activities to try in the city. There are beautiful Richmond homes for sale and the education is also top notch.

Farmland is a perfect place for a photo op and Austin, Texas has plenty of it. With lower unemployment rate, no income tax, eight colleges and universities, and tons of music, this city is a great place to settle down and enjoy the view.

The Steele Group Sotheby’s International Realty could be helpful if you are looking for house Richmond VA. This is a group of Virginia realtor who can provide guidance on Virginia homes for sale and on finding houses in Richmond VA.

DIY Cots for Lightweight Backpacking

July 15, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

DIY-Cots-for-Lightweight-Backpacking

Written by: The Foam Factory

 

When you’re out in the wilderness, even the smallest creature comforts are a welcome sight. One great way to make your outdoor trek a bit more comfortable is to create a cot you can use to sleep on. Cots are useful on backpacking trips because they lift you off the ground, which makes it a bit more manageable to sleep without a tent or with only a rain fly.

Begin with the Frame

There are many ways to approach building the frame for a cot, but you can easily pull it off with PVC piping and tent poles. Simply cut a thick piece of PVC pipe, drill holes into it for the tent poles and your support structure is basically built. For something a bit sturdier, you might consider using actual metal pipes but the weight increase might not be the kind of tradeoff you want to make. The final product won’t be sturdy enough to serve as a mattress replacement, but you can use it for an overnight trip.

Final Touches

You’ll need some kind of material that doesn’t stretch and will remain strong even as it is strained. Tarp or canvas work well for this purpose, but rip-stop fabric is also useful. Once you have the fabric over the “legs” you made from the PVC piping, consider adding dryfast foam to try and reduce moisture collection.

Final Thoughts

The finished product should be extremely lightweight, but not something you want to take with you to every trip you go. These cots are perfect for short trips on a budget, and it’s very possible to do the whole project, with foam mattress, for under $50.

The First Shots of the Revolutionary War

July 13, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

By Phineas Upham

The outbreak of war in North America came suddenly on April 19, 1775. The stirrings of a battle occurred in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay. The battle would be fought across two towns, Lexington and Concord, and it was the start of the armed conflict between Great Britain and the thirteen colonies that formed British America.

War had been brewing for some time, but no one had declared it or shown any outward public aggression. Below the surface, political tensions ran hot. Colonists had formed a shadow government and were planning events to revolt against the British. In the wake of the Boston Tea Party, it became clear to the British government that an uprising was in the cards.

The morning of April 19th, as the sun crested over the town of Lexington, the first shots of the American Revolutionary War rang out across the plains. The militia fought bravely, but were outnumbered by the British, who had received reinforcements from the Suffolk Reserves.

The conflict continued intermittently throughout the day, with the outnumbered colonists repeatedly withdrawing only to fire on the British from a different position with greater cover. The British became frustrated fighting these guerilla tactics, and the Americans drove the British into a tactical withdrawal to Charlestown.

Both sides sustained heavy casualties during the fighting, and the British almost lost several high ranking officers in the process. Unfortunately, an absentminded British American man assisted the army in finding their location and aiding in their withdrawal.


About the Author: Phineas Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media and Telecom group. You may contact Phin on his Phineas Upham website or LinkedIn page.